Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and acne vulgaris are remanded due to the need for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is about the rating of his low back disability, which was previously rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that a new VA examination addressing the current severity of the condition and the updated criteria for rating spine disabilities are needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for full compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, including notification and duty-to-assist provisions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining all relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board found that the June 1970 rating decision did not constitute clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board previously determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a chronic back disorder. The CAVC has now remanded the case for readjudication.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the criteria were not met. The current evaluation of 40 percent has been maintained.

The VA denied service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for a low back disability, but did not assign any rating or effective date.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits due to a fall from a wheelchair while hospitalized at VAMC in Tucson, Arizona, as there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from this event.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for an orthopedic evaluation of his service-connected low back disability. The matter is being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 9, 1973 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Board's decision of September 7, 1960 was revised to grant a 20 percent rating for residuals of a compression fracture of the dorsal vertebra and a separate 40 percent rating for chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board is considering whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the November 1963 rating decision, as well as earlier effective dates for TDIU and a higher disability rating. The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain has been linked to his degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease compounded by bilateral shoulder impingement was not incurred or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and new evidence. The case is now remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, compliance with VCAA requirements, and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects, and the RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations are satisfied before proceeding with further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient evidence regarding subsequent manifestations of the veteran's seizure disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.